At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team researching neuro-symbolic AI and develop innovative algorithms and tools.
- Company: King's College London, a leading institution in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for contract extension, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI research while collaborating with top experts in the field.
- Qualifications: PhD in computer science or related field, with expertise in semantic technologies and AI.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; strong focus on diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 44105 - 51485 £ per year.
About us: We are seeking to appoint a postdoctoral research associate with an excellent track record in semantic technologies and machine learning. Topics of interest in this area include, but are not limited to: natural language processing, large language models, graph learning, prompt engineering, knowledge graphs, knowledge engineering, linked data, web technologies.
About the role: The successful candidate will join the Distributed AI (DAI) group in the Department of Informatics, King's College London. They will carry out research in neuro-symbolic AI, with a focus on using generative and agentic AI, as well as AI standards to create trustworthy information resources. This includes the design of algorithms, tools, and processes for knowledge workers to better organise knowledge bases and maintain the integrity of their information.
The post holder will work closely with Prof Elena Simperl and a team of 15+ researchers and PhD students in the area of human-centric AI. The role covers research in the areas mentioned above, as well as the production of scientific publications and application showcases to drive research impact. The researcher will be expected to support impact creation activities, including hackathons, workshops, tutorials and to actively contribute to ongoing AI standardisation efforts such as MLCommons Croissant. The research and innovation outputs will inform work undertaken in the group in several large collaborative grants and application areas, including arts and culture, enterprise data management, legal compliance.
The ideal candidate will have solid expertise in the technical areas mentioned earlier, as well as a proven track record of scientific excellence (through publications in A and A* conferences and journals) and of open science and FAIR practices (through software, datasets and other research outputs, participation in challenges etc). Familiarity with semantic technologies and neuro-symbolic AI, in theory and practice, is a firm requirement.
The post is full-time, but we can discuss part‐time options in exceptional circumstances. There is also the option to extend the contract beyond the 18 months provided funding is available.
About you: To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- PhD in computer science, AI or related area
- Proven experience of semantic technologies such as knowledge graphs, ontologies, data modelling, RDF, RDFS, OWL
- Proven experience with predictive and generative AI
- Practical experience in using large language models, generative AI techniques, prompt engineering
- Proven record of A/A* scientific publications and open science/FAIR practices
- Teamwork skills demonstrated e.g. through project work, organisation of joint events, co‐authored papers etc.
- Time management and organisational skills, including experience in organising small scientific workshops and similar
- Familiarity with the design of AI enabled tools, AI assistants, and agentic AI
- Familiarity and contributions to Wikipedia and/or Wikidata
- Understanding and practical experience with FAIR and open science practices
- Familiarity and contributions to AI or web standards
- Experience in scientific communication for non‐academic audiences
- Familiarity with one or more of these application domains for neuro‐symbolic AI: law, arts and culture, enterprise data management
- Track record of organising dissemination and community building events e.g. workshops or tutorials co‐located with academic conferences
Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.
At King's, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.
The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.
We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination. When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King's guidance.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our 'How we Recruit' pages.
Grade and Salary: £44,105 to £51,485 per annum inclusive of London Weighting
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Informatics in London employer: King's College London
Contact Detail:
King's College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Informatics in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your expertise—show it! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can showcase your projects, publications, and any cool stuff you've worked on. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and the team you'll be working with. Think about how your skills align with their goals and be ready to discuss specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your fit for the role.
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We think you need these skills to ace Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Informatics in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in semantic technologies and machine learning. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant projects and publications!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. Be specific about your experiences and how they relate to the research areas we’re focusing on.
Show Off Your Teamwork Skills: We love collaboration at StudySmarter! Make sure to mention any teamwork experiences, like co-authored papers or organised events. This will show us that you can thrive in our dynamic research environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the application process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at King's College London
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on semantic technologies and machine learning concepts. Be ready to discuss your experience with knowledge graphs, large language models, and generative AI techniques. The interviewers will likely want to hear about your specific projects and how you've applied these technologies in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Publications
Prepare to talk about your scientific publications, especially those in A and A* conferences. Highlight your contributions to open science and FAIR practices. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your research impact and how it aligns with the goals of the Distributed AI group.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since teamwork is key in this role, be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated on projects or organised events. Discuss any workshops or tutorials you've led, as well as your experience in community building within the research space. This will show that you're not just a solo researcher but someone who thrives in a collaborative environment.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with King's College London's focus on human-centric AI and their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission. Showing that you understand and appreciate their culture can set you apart from other candidates.